May 13, 1947 - March 10, 2023
Heather Nettie Moerke (nee Desjardins) passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, March 10, 2023 in Burnaby, BC. Heather was born on May 13, 1947 in Ottawa, Ontario to Robert Arthur Desjardins and Beatrice Mary Chapman.
In 1965, Heather boarded a train and travelled to BC to marry George Frederick Moerke, where they put down roots in his home province. They resided in Prince George, BC until the birth of their first daughter Lisa Marie.
In Autumn of 1968 they boarded a train to Hope, BC where they lived at Kawkawa Lake. Heather, a registered hairdresser, worked at the Klip Shop in Hope.
In 1973, Heather and George welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Tara Louisa. They purchased an acreage a couple years later and built their home and farm, "The Willows" in the mountains outside of Hope. In 1979, the family was blessed once again with the birth of a third daughter, Spring Willow Dawn. And in 1983, the family was blessed yet again with the birth of a fourth daughter, Megan Angel Ann.
Besides working full-time and co-managing the family farm, Heather also dedicated herself to the community through volunteer work. She made regular visits to the local retirement home to wash, cut, and dress hair. She traded farm fresh eggs for piano lessons, she baked cakes for school events, spearheaded successful fundraising events, hosted full-class skating parties and regaled sleepover parties with tales of ghosts.
Whether bottle-feeding orphaned lambs, rolling out a giant lump of bread dough, putting up rows of canning after Fall harvest on the farm or sewing and crocheting, her hands were never still. But she was never too busy to give a hug or lend an ear.
Heather is lovingly remembered for her hearty laugh and generous spirit, and the love she shared with George. Nothing was more magical, than to watch Heather and George dance.
Heather is survived by her brother Robert, her four daughters, Lisa Moerke (Riley Johnson), Tara Moerke, Spring Moerke (Jeremy Ball), and Megan Da Silva (Ryan); grandchildren Shelby Morgan, Brittany, Breanne, Brooklyn, Bronwyn, Kane, Ayrton, Edson; and great grandchildren Lincoln, Sara, Aubrey, Zaydee, Ashton, and Addilyn.
She is predeceased by her parents, her husband George, and her sister Dawn.